APPENDIX. 439 



possibly happen to us. Our soldiers were well mounted, and conscious of 

 their own superiority over any troops which could be brought into the field 

 against them. Can-era, with his few enthusiastic followers, continued his 

 inarch, notwithstanding many divisions of the enemy had marched to in- 

 tercept us. He despatched letters to the governors of Cordova and San Luis, 

 informing them that it was his resolution to follow his route to Chile, with 

 their consent, or by open force. That in case they gave their consent, every 

 thing his soldiers received in their inarch should be paid for ; and that, on his 

 part, he would take care that no cause for hostility should be given. We 

 continued to march without receiving any answer from these governments ; 

 and in Chajan, whilst we were unconscious of our danger, and unprepared to 

 meet it, we were surprised by Bustos, governor of Cordova, at the head of 

 600 of his veterans, having previously placed 200 militia in ambuscade in our 

 rear. Our encampment was in a small vale, surrounded by hills on every 

 side. The sun being extremely hot, three sentries, who were posted on com- 

 manding eminences for the security of the camp, had lain down in shade of 

 their horses, and there gone to sleep ; hence we had no notice of the advance 

 of the enemy until we saw them on the summit of the hill coming to the 

 charge in two lines. Our soldiers were astonished at this unexpected sur- 

 prise. Such as had horses saddled mounted them ; and those who had not, 

 caught their horses, bridled, and mounted them without saddles. The 

 General had only time to take his sword and mount the horse of a woman, 

 leaving his coat and hat behind : all was disorder and confusion, — no 

 formation or time to form. Our men began to disperse and retire through a 

 defile in our rear, in which Bustos' ambuscade was stationed ; but about 

 fourteen soldiers, with seven or eight Indians, stood firm to their ground, and 

 resolved to sell their lives as dearly as possible. They raised a terrific shout, 

 and precipitated themselves on the enemy, regardless of their danger. The 

 flying soldiers, looking behind and seeing their few companions engaged with 

 the enemy, were ashamed of their momentary fear ; and without any com- 

 mand, but as with one common impulse, they wheeled about, and, without 

 waiting to form, rushed on the enemy with redoubled fury. The enemy 

 could not withstand the impetuosity of the onset : their second in command, 

 and the principal officers who commanded the first line, were killed ; in con- 

 sequence of which their first line gave way, and, falling back on the second, 

 began to rally. But the fury of our soldiers and chosen band of Indians they 

 could not withstand ; they were broken, and obliged to trust to their horses 



